To make your baby happy and trust you, give them love, kindness, comfort, routines, and play and explore time

Helping your baby to trust and be happy requires a lot of work from you, like love and attention every day, showing understanding, comforting them when they are upset, and letting them play and explore.

Something else that helps make your baby feel secure is a world that they know with routines and regular activities that help them know what is coming.

The first parts of discipline are teaching your baby that you love and care for them.

Helping them to trust you and be happy are the most important building blocks of discipline. It is very important to give your baby love and attention every day. Showing your baby that you pay attention to them and are kind to what they need and to other people around you teaches that being upset and showing emotions is okay. Comforting your baby when they are upset is important to strengthen your bond with them and to let them trust you. Routines and repeated things and places in your baby’s world help them to feel secure and safe, so that they can play and explore and continue to grow and learn. The trust and safety you are building with your baby helps them understand that you love them and want the best for them, which will help with discipline when they get older.

This and other exclusive tips from the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics are shared via Bloomz, the app connecting parents and educators everywhere. Want to get them on your phone? Invite your child’s teacher, coach or care provider to sign up for a free Bloomz account.